Gezicht op de markt bij Covent Garden c. 1850 - 1880

Valentine Blanchard captured this stereograph of Covent Garden market in London, immortalizing a space teeming with life and commerce. The market, dominated by arched buildings, forms a stage for the daily rituals of trade. Notice how the horses, burdened yet dignified, stand as silent witnesses to the human drama unfolding around them. This motif echoes across epochs, from the steeds of ancient friezes to Renaissance battle scenes, symbolizing labor, strength, and even sacrifice. Think of the horse as a symbol of power tamed, its wild spirit channeled into the service of human ambition. The arches framing the market evoke the classical world, a nod to stability and order, yet they also create a permeable boundary. This is where public and private life, commerce and community, intertwine. This image is a mirror reflecting our own desires for connection and sustenance, reminding us that even in the most mundane activities, we are participants in an ancient, ongoing narrative.